Chief Secretary to Government Ivan Pomaleu on Wednesday launched the 2026 Green Finance Summit in Port Moresby, calling for stronger investment in climate-resilient development and greater private sector involvement in sustainable financing initiatives.
The summit, held under the theme “Greening PNG’s Financial System,” brought together representatives from the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), the Green Finance Centre, commercial banks, development partners, and regional central banks to discuss sustainable economic growth and climate finance reforms.
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In his opening address, Mr. Pomaleu in a statement said climate change was already affecting Papua New Guinea’s agriculture, coastlines, and communities, and stressed that economic growth and climate resilience must progress together.
Mr. Pomaleu said the Government remained committed to strengthening green finance policies and supporting investments that promote sustainable development across the country.
Since the launch of the Inclusive Green Finance Policy in 2023 and the Green Finance Centre in 2024, Papua New Guinea has moved from policy discussions to implementation.
The Chief Secretary announced several initiatives, including the Green Finance Facilities, the Inclusive Green Finance Taxonomy Version 2.0, and the Green Finance Academy.
He said the initiatives were aimed at improving transparency and building credibility in the country’s sustainable investment market.
He said sustainable finance should support job creation, improve energy access, and expand financial inclusion throughout Papua New Guinea.
“It is not simply about climate discussions; it is about improving the lives of Papua New Guineans,” Mr. Pomaleu said.
Mr. Pomaleu also said public funding alone would not be enough to meet the country’s development goals and urged commercial banks, superannuation funds, and other financial institutions to increase investment in renewable energy, green small and medium-sized enterprises, and resilient infrastructure.
The summit coincided with the Pacific Central Banks Study Tour, attended by representatives from Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Samoa, highlighting Papua New Guinea’s growing role in regional green finance reforms.
Mr. Pomaleu also acknowledged Papua New Guinea’s upcoming role as host of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum later this year, which is expected to attract delegates from more than 85 countries.
He thanked the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Governor Elizabeth Genia, Chairman Sir Robert Igara, and development partners including the IMF, World Bank Group, and Asian Development Bank for supporting the country’s green finance agenda.
“We want Papua New Guinea to become a destination for responsible, impactful investment,” Mr. Pomaleu said.
The 2026 Green Finance Summit will continue over the coming days, focusing on partnerships and practical solutions for sustainable development in Papua New Guinea.